IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 278 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States 

should initiate negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with Tunisia. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 19, 2015 

Mr. SCHWEIKERT submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on Ways and Means 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 

the United States should initiate negotiations to enter 

into a free trade agreement with Tunisia. 

Whereas the bilateral relationship between the United States 

and Tunisia dates back to 1795; 

Whereas the Arab Spring has swept through Northern Africa 

and the Middle East, creating the greatest opportunity in 

more than a generation for true democratic development 

in the region; 

Whereas the resulting upheaval also creates enormous potential for instability, violence, and power vacuums that 

could be exploited by anti-democratic or extremist forces; 

Whereas a key influence that drove protests in Tunisia came 

from Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor who set himself 


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•HRES 278 IH 

on fire to protest corruption and a lack of economic opportunities; 

Whereas Mr. Bouazizi’s death in December 2010 became a 

rallying cry for more democracy and economic freedom in 

Tunisia; 

Whereas demonstrations by the Tunisian people forced President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali to flee Tunisia on January 

14, 2011, after more than 23 years of authoritarian rule; 

Whereas the political transition became known as the ‘‘Jasmine Revolution’’ and sparked the Arab Spring throughout Northern Africa and the Middle East; 

Whereas, on January 26, 2014, Tunisia’s National Constituent Assembly adopted a new constitution; 

Whereas national elections were held on October 26, 2014, to 

select a 217-seat Assembly of the Representatives of the 

People; 

Whereas, on December 31, 2014, Beji Caid Essebsi was 

sworn into office as Tunisia’s first freely elected President; 

Whereas the October Tunisian elections were widely praised 

by international election observers; 

Whereas disputes over reform priorities, economic crisis, 

labor unrest, regional tension, and lingering insecurity 

are continuing challenges; 

Whereas Tunisia exhibits a number of unique attributes in its 

region, such as a relatively small territory, a sizable and 

well-educated middle class, and a long history of encouraging women’s socioeconomic freedoms; 


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•HRES 278 IH 

Whereas unrest, political uncertainty, turmoil in neighboring 

Libya, and economic crisis in Europe have contributed to 

severe economic difficulties in Tunisia; 

Whereas it is estimated that Tunisia’s economic growth was 

2.3 percent in 2014 and will be 2.7 percent in 2015; 

Whereas jobs and living standards remain the primary concern for most Tunisians; 

Whereas if the economic aspirations of the Tunisian people 

are not realized, the potential for anti-democratic or extremist forces to exploit instability will only be magnified; 

Whereas strong, sustained economic growth and development 

would provide the necessary resources for Tunisia to 

build democratic institutions and solidify public support 

for democratic governance, as well as ensure strong labor, 

environmental, and human rights protections; 

Whereas engagement with Tunisia through trade negotiations 

would encourage greater reform, including the protection 

of intellectual property, and build its capacity to modernize and liberalize its economy, as well as provide maximum leverage to facilitate the implementation of strong 

labor, environmental, and human rights protections; 

Whereas a vibrant, stable, and prosperous democracy in Tunisia is in the interest of the United States and would 

fuel both economic and democratic development throughout Northern Africa and the Middle East; 

Whereas prior to the Jasmine Revolution, the United States 

was Tunisia’s fifth-largest trading partner; 

Whereas in 2014 exports from the United States to Tunisia 

were $850,000,000 and imports from Tunisia into the 

United States were $521,200,000; 


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•HRES 278 IH 

Whereas Tunisia is an important market for United States 

grain, seeds, and cereal exports; 

Whereas Tunisia is an important source of oil, fats and food 

oils, and textiles for the United States; 

Whereas the United States and Tunisia have re-launched negotiations for a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA); and 

Whereas Tunisia has been a member of the World Trade Organization since 1995: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that the United States should initiate negotia3 tions to enter into a free trade agreement with Tunisia. 

Æ 


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